Invincible Soul Emperor

"Heh. Don’t think I’ll talk just because you’re not killing me. Ye Qingchen, I’m telling you, you’ve made the Zheng Family suffer so much. I won’t let you get away with it!"

The moment Zheng Xiao finished speaking, a burst of Demonic Qi erupted before Ye Qingchen. He instinctively shut his eyes, and when he opened them again, she was gone.

"Damn it, she got away. I have to notify the Xue Family immediately." Ye Qingchen scanned his surroundings, but Zheng Xiao had vanished without a trace. It was probably too late to catch her now.

「Meanwhile, on a hillside not far from Ye Qingchen’s courtyard.」

Wu Chang stood by a tree, a cold sneer on his face as he looked down at Ye Qingchen’s courtyard. The next moment, Zheng Xiao appeared beside him.

"Lord Wu Chang, that Ye Qingchen’s power has grown again. I’m no match for him at all," Zheng Xiao said softly, her head bowed.

Wu Chang raised a hand. "That fellow has some talent, so it’s normal that you’re no match for him. However, this has given me a chance to witness his strength firsthand. I believe I have a way to deal with him now."

Zheng Xiao nodded.

"Um, Lord Wu Chang... my family... when can you help get them out? That prison is no place for humans," she asked.

Wu Chang said nonchalantly, "You should know it took a great deal of effort just to get you out. With several people in your family, freeing them all won’t be easy."

Zheng Xiao grew anxious. "Then, Lord Wu Chang, what should I do next?"

"Calm down. I said it wouldn’t be easy, not that I wouldn’t do it. As long as you do exactly as I say, I will certainly rescue your parents."

These words considerably soothed Zheng Xiao’s mind.

"Alright, let’s retreat for now. We’ll find another opportunity to test him in a couple of days," Wu Chang said.

After they spoke, the two vanished, leaving only faint traces of Demonic Qi by the tree.

「At that moment.」

Xiao Xiao and Xue Feng had already entered the First Mystic Realm. The realm was so vast that no one knew where its boundaries lay. As soon as they stepped inside, they found themselves in an endless desert.

"Oh my! This place is so huge. Which direction should we go?" Xiao Xiao furrowed her brow. She looked around, but every direction stretched out to a horizon with no end in sight.

Xue Feng also surveyed the area before giving Xiao Xiao a reassuring glance. "Let’s head straight north."

Having spent so many years with the Xue Family, Xue Feng had some understanding of the First Mystic Realm. The first area upon entry was always the desert. Without worrying about anything else, the correct path was to head due north.

Seeing his conviction, Xiao Xiao immediately fell into step behind him.

However, after walking for half a day, the boundless desert still stretched out before them. The scorching sun beat down relentlessly, leaving their shadows exposed on the sand.

"Xue Feng, are you sure we’re going the right way? We’ve been walking for so long, how have we not reached the end yet?" Xiao Xiao panted as she walked.

Xue Feng replied with a serious expression, "Little Girl Xiaoxiao, don’t worry. This desert is a test of one’s State of Mind. If you can’t endure, it’s as good as not having entered the Mystic Realm at all."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but sigh. "I see. In that case, let’s pick up the pace. It’s just a little sun, after all."

They walked on for the better part of the day. Just as they were about to collapse from exhaustion, the ground suddenly began to tremble beneath them. Xiao Xiao and Xue Feng froze, their expressions changing as they quickly steadied themselves.

In the next second, an enormous sinkhole appeared in the desert before them.

Immediately afterward, a massive figure emerged from the depths of the pit.

"ROAR!"

The figure roared at the sky, and the entire world seemed to tremble with it.

Xiao Xiao looked up. The behemoth that had crawled out of the ground was covered head to toe in thick, earth-yellow Scale Armor that shimmered with a menacing light. Its body was as majestic as a mountain, towering high into the clouds, eclipsing the sun, and casting the entire land in its shadow. In the sunlight, its giant scales glinted coldly, each one seemingly forged from indestructible steel.

Its eyes blazed like two infernos, filled with endless majesty and rage. It radiated a primal, savage power that seemed capable of devouring all living things. Deep, deafening roars rumbled from its mouth, the sound waves rolling forth as if to tear the world asunder.

The beast’s appearance made the earth tremble and the mountains seem to pale. Trees collapsed beneath its feet and rivers stopped flowing at its roar. A suffocating terror filled the air, as if the apocalypse had arrived.

Xiao Xiao’s heart was filled with shock and fear. She had never seen a Monster Beast with such an overwhelming presence.

"Xue Feng, what is that thing?"

Her face was grim, and Xue Feng’s was just as serious.

"Little Girl Xiaoxiao, stay back. I’ll fight it!"

Xue Feng had no idea what kind of Monster Beast this was, but judging by its aura, he knew it would be a difficult opponent.

The Monster Beast let out a thunderous roar that shattered the surrounding rocks. Its crimson eyes fixed on Xue Feng, who had stepped forward, as if peering into his very soul. Before this colossal creature, the human Xue Feng seemed insignificant—like a speck of dust that could be crushed at any moment.

Without hesitation, the Monster Beast raised an enormous claw and lunged. The attack tore through the air, bringing with it a fierce gust of wind and a thick killing intent. Xue Feng felt a terrifying force wash over him, the sheer power of the blow seeming to warp the very space around him.

Yet, Xue Feng did not retreat. Taking a deep breath, he watched as his sword began to emit a faint glow, as if responding to the resolve in his heart. Just as the claw was about to strike, he dodged to the side, evading the deadly blow like a bolt of lightning.

The claw slammed into the ground, instantly shattering it and sending dust and rock flying. Xue Feng flipped in mid-air and landed steadily to the creature’s side, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit. He knew this battle would determine the fate of countless beings; he could not back down.

Gripping his sword tightly, Xue Feng began to gather a dazzling light on the blade, a light that seemed capable of piercing all darkness, aimed straight for the Monster Beast’s heart. He shot forward like lightning, thrusting his sword at the beast’s vital spot. Sword met Scale Armor with a deafening clang of metal, sending sparks flying everywhere.

Enraged, the Monster Beast spun around and swiped at him with boundless fury. The battle raged between heaven and earth, their powers clashing violently with every exchange, each blow seeming powerful enough to rip space itself apart.